Despite post-pandemic return-to-office mandates, remote work persists and and has even helped to reshape cities across the world. Still, some countries are more welcoming to digital nomads than others.
Recently, the experts at Global Citizen Solutions released its annual Global Digital Nomad Report, ranking the best countries for digital nomads in 2024. The report looked at 65 countries that identify as the most accommodating countries and jurisdictions for digital nomads.
To rank the countries, the report analyzed 12 key indicators that were assigned across the following five sub-indexes:
- Visa costs
- Visa benefits
- Quality of life
- Economic environment
- Tech and innovation
Laura Madrid Sartoretto, lead researcher at Global Solutions Intelligence Unit, tells CNBC Make It that the biggest takeaway from this year’s report is the countries that ranked the highest were those that offer more direct access to citizenship or at least permanent residency.
“More and more people are trying to use these programs to acquire a second citizenship and leverage the mobility that can offer,” Madrid Sartoretto says.
Nine of the top 10 countries were in Europe. The United States didn’t rank in the report since it doesn’t offer a proper digital nomad visa, Madrid Sartoretto added.
Spain is the No. 1 country for digital nomads
Score: 89.12
Spain is the best country for digital nomads, according to the Global Nomad Digital Report. It scored highest for visa benefits and second highest for tech innovation.
Spain, being one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, coupled with its high-speed internet, makes it “an excellent environment for tech and innovation,” the report states.
Madrid Sartoretto says Spain ranked highly because of the quality of life it offers digital nomads. The country also had one of the fastest internet connections of all the countries analyzed.
Spain
Rudy Sulgan | The Image Bank | Getty Images
The only drawback, Madrid Sartoretto says, is that English is not yet widely spoken nationwide.
Spain has breathtaking beaches and dynamic cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and more. It is also home to iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and Alhambra.
10 best countries for digital nomads in 2024
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Estonia
- Romania
- Malta
- Portugal
- Canada
- Hungary
- France
The Netherlands is the No. 2 country for digital nomads. It had a score of 86.26 and the highest quality of life score at 98.
While the Netherlands ranked high in the quality of life category, it has a higher cost of living than Spain, for example, which is something to consider when wanting to work in the country, Madrid Sartoretto says.
In the Netherlands, a single person’s estimated monthly costs are $1,088.50 without rent, according to Numbeo. The cost of living in the country is 4.1% lower than the United States.
The Netherlands
Frans Lemmens | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images
The European country doesn’t have a digital nomad visa, but it does have something similar — the self-employed residence permit. To receive one, an applicant must meet several requirements, including having a valid passport or travel document.
The Netherlands is home to its capital city of Amsterdam, beautiful canals and stunning windmills. The country is known for its scenic beauty and serene countryside.
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